2012 Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition Report

The 2012 Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition results were announced this week.

The top award-winners are:

Best of Class Dry White:  Chateau Fontaine – 2011 Pinot Blanc

Best of Class Dry Red:  Shady Lane Cellars – 2010 Blue Franc

Best of Class Sparkling Wine:  L. Mawby – Blanc de Blancs

Best of Class Semi-Dry White:  Fenn Valley Vineyards – 2011 Vignoles Reserve

Best of Class Dessert Wine:  Lawton Ridge Winery – 2011 Late Harvest Vignoles

Best of Class Fruit Wine:  Chateau de Leelanau – Cherry Wine

In addition, L. Mawby won a Judges’ Merit Award for Blanc de Noirs, a methode champenois brut sparking wine.

According to Karel Bush of the Michigan Wine and Grape Industry Council,  cold climate varietals were well represented in the medal count.   For example, Burdorf’s Winery in Haslett, Michigan won gold medal for its 2011 Marquette.   According to winemaker Deb Burgdorf, the grapes for the award-winning Marquette were grown at the vineyard on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.    Also,  Flying Otter Winery won a gold for its “Sunshine” a blend of cold climate varietals grown in the winery’s vineyard between Toledo and Detroit.

Also well represented in the Competition was the Matthies family of Lake Leelanau,  Michigan which accounted for at least 44 medals, according to Chateau Fontaine Vineyards and Winery Owner, Dan Matthies.   Matthies’ Winery, Chateau Fontaine,  won 11 awards for the 13 wines it entered in the Michigan competition.  In addition,  the French Road Cellars custom crush facility which is owned by Dan Matthies’ son, Doug,  made the wine s that won 43 awards for other wineries, reports Dan Matthies.   The winemaker at French Road,  Michigan’s first custom crush winery,  is Shawn Walters.

Fenn Valley Vineyards and Wine Cellar  won 19 awards at the Competition including the Best of Class for their Vignoles Reserve as well as four Gold Medals.